ThereÕs this word that often gets bounced around a lot,

both inside and outside of philosophy.

And that is authenticity.

Whether or not that really exists, I have no idea.

But the way we can relate both to ourselves,

the way we want to relate

to ourselves, the image we have of ourselves,

and the way we want to relate

to other people and the image we have of other people.

I think the closest way, like Narcissus looking into the pool,

the closest way that reflection can match up

is through direct engagement and reflection.

And I think that is genuinely what philosophy is, right?

Love of wisdom. Search for knowledge.

And so there you go. And then of the word itself.

Why philosophy is deeply moving

because it allows us to match up the people we want to be

and the people we want to be with, with ourselves.